Heavy rain causes floods, landslides

An active seasonal rain front brought heavy rains to the whole Okinawa Main and surrounding islands on Monday, which caused damages at some areas including flooded roads, houses, and mudslides.

In Itokazu, Nanjo City, the 244 mm of rain had fallen over a 24-hour period as of 11:30 p.m. Monday that is a new record for June. In Nishihara Town, Kohatsu River flooded which disrupted traffic.

According to Okinawa Meteorological Observatory, the 24-hour rainfall on Kume Islaqnd was recorded at 228 mm.

A landslide disaster warning was issued for the middle and southern parts of the main island and some parts in the north. The warning were issued at noon on Tuesday.

Naha, Tomigusuku, Urasoe, Ginowan, Nanjo and Itoman Cities, Nakagusuku and Kitanakagusuku Villages, and Yonabaru and Nishihara Towns announced an evacuation warning to some 73,000 households in areas with a risk of landslides.

In Taira, in Ozato, Nanjo City, there was 20-meter-wide landslide next to an apartment building.

12 municipalities prepared for evacuations, and five households with nine people were voluntarily evacuated in Nishihara and Haebaru Towns Tuesday evening.

Some sections of the Okinawa Expressway were closed from 9 p.m. Monday. Prefectural road No.146 was also closed because of a landslide.